The Ruler of Hell and Room 101

29/8/2017

A couple of days ago I watched 'Room 101' presented by Frank Skinner.

It made me think what things would I like to go into room 101? Well here goes:

Number one - mispronouncing words

Now I can't say I'm completely innocent of this but there are certain words I want to complain about so here goes.

I really hate the mispronouncing of the English word (I'm emphasizing English) 'homage'. Think about it pronounced like this - hom-adge - NOT om-arj as though you're trying to speak French.

As a kid I was always taught just say hom-adge because that is how English speaking people say the word.

Let's look at it like this. How do you pronounce Paris? Do you say Par-is or as a French would say Paree (and you have to pronounce the letter 'r' at the back of your throat). If you don't why on earth would you ever say om-arj when you actually mean hom-adge?

Does this come from American ways of saying things? Like the way British people say 'herbs' but Americans say 'erbs'. It's a bit offensive in the way that Americans say Vincent van Gogh. Americans pronounce 'Gogh' as 'go' when his surname is actually pronounced by saying the letters 'gh' at the back of your throat. (It's a little bit more complicated than that but that is far we can go in describing how to say his surname in English.)

Don't get me talking about the difference between Americans saying 'aluminum' and British people saying 'aluminium'. (God, even the dictionary corrector software powering my website tries to correct my 'aluminium' to the American way of saying aluminum. (You don't say 'Sodum' - you say 'Sodium'. You don't say Lithum you say 'Lithium'.)

Anyway...

Number two - the hypocrisy within LGBT groups

It's one of those typical things where oppressed groups are very good at in-fighting. (Those opposing know the best route to victory is to divide the opposition.)

And LGBT identities have a lot of in-fighting.

Let's be a little bit more explicit about the summarized identities within LGBT. The actual reality is LGBt. Well, it's probably more GLBt. but anyway... Gay and Lesbian identities have been oppressed. Well, actually more Gay because all homosexual men could be arrested before the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in 1967. Lesbianism has never been illegal in most countries. Discrimination however is a different matter.

Bisexuality was often ignored, assuming that bisexual people were those who were undecided about their sexuality (gay/straight). The reality is that many people would actually consider interactions with either sex under certain circumstances. (Even if it's being trapped on a desert island and your only companion is someone who's not your sexual preference.)

Transgenderism is one even more complex. I've heard of Gay men assuming trans-women were actually Gay men in drag and confused when trans-women saying "No, I'm a woman. I'm actually interested in straight men." Or they might even say " I'm actually interested in other women." Even so some Gay men enjoy making bitchy remarks about trans* people.

Then of course there's the in-fighting and selfishness of some trans people.

Don't get me wrong. There are many good transgender people out there. (Let's face it, I chose to do a PhD about transgenderism so I'm pretty well disposed to trans* identities.)

Plus I'm VERY opposed to hate crimes and that includes transphobia (as well as homophobia etc).

However, like any group of people there are some extremely selfish transgender people who are actually self-destructive in opposing (or just being disinterested in) any work to help all transgender groups. Even if it doesn't involve any cost or effort (or little cost/effort).

Anyway that's enough of me being bitchy (for the moment).

My mainstream novels champion Diversity awareness without being pompous.

Number three - Why are we supporting vastly overpaid footballers etc. when we've got slavery even in the UK?

Look at this:

Premiership footballers earn an average of £676,000 per year, according to a survey by The Independent and the Professional Footballers' Association.
That figure, which equates to £13,000 per week, typically rises by between 60% and 100% when performance-related bonuses are taken into account.
Strikers have the highest average annual salary, with £806,000, while midfielders earn about £754,000.
Defenders earn £653,000 on average and Premiership goalkeepers make £533,000.
The basic pay represents an average rise of around 65% from the average figure in 2000.

[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4898392.stm]

Now look at this:

Modern-day slaves wear no labels but the guise of sex workers, child pickpockets, domestic helpers, caterers, masseurs, tarmac layers, farm labourers, car washers and factory staff. They all carry a price tag and are bought and sold, used and abused.
Slavery stretches from the Cornish coast to Highland crofts, seeps into affluent and poor areas, involves foreign nationals and Britons, and affects men, women and children. It is as rife in rural areas as inner cities. It is right here, right now. The National Crime Agency reports that a total of 2,744 people, including 602 children, were potential victims of trafficking for exploitation in 2013, an increase of 22 per cent on 2012. Labour MP Frank Field estimates that there are 10,000 slaves in the UK, while the Human Trafficking Foundation charity believes there are 20,000.
What is certain is that the figures are rising. Read says: “Three years ago The Salvation Army was called to help victims in large-scale police human-trafficking operations five times in one year. Last month we had five police calls in two weeks.”
So why are we in Britain, this civilised nation proud of its freedom and democracy, so unaware of modern slavery?

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/lifestyle/modern-slavery-britain/11196766/modern-day-slavery-britain-cases-on-rise.html]

[She] is among hundreds, if not thousands, of vulnerable people trafficked into and within the UK annually for remunerative sexual exploitation. The United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) – part of the National Crime Agency (NCA) – estimates that 2,744 people, including 602 children, were potential victims of trafficking for exploitation in 2013, an increase of 22 per cent on 2012. Slaves in Britain are most likely to come from countries including Poland, Romania, Nigeria, Lithuania, Albania and Britain itself. Latest NCA figures indicate that for child potential victims of trafficking, the most prevalent country of origin is the UK.

[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/lifestyle/modern-slavery-britain/11151517/sex-slave-trade-britain-streets.html]

Are you wanting this injustice to be thrown into Room 101 as well?

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